Global shipping, logistics and marine services provider GAC Group has appointed Shanaka Fernando as the group's new regional business development manager (Oil & Gas) for Middle East region.

The move comes just ahead of this week’s Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec), said a statement from GAC.

It is in line with GAC’s plans to strengthen its commitment to the upstream oil and gas industry in the Middle East region, where GAC has been a leader in the provision of shipping, logistics and marine services for nearly 60 years.

Fernando joined the GAC Group in 1994 and has since served as business manager in Sri Lanka, Qatar, Thailand and Bahrain covering the contract logistics (3PL), project logistics, break bulk, tankers, and offshore sectors.

Most recently, he held the position of regional key account manager – MEA, in Bahrain, for various oil & gas exploration and survey companies in the region.

Fernando will act the key liaison point between GAC and new and existing customers in the Middle East’s upstream oil and gas industry. He is based at GAC’s regional headquarters in Dubai and reports directly to the Group Vice-President for the Middle East, Lars Bergstrom.

On the appointment, Bergstrom said: "In a challenging environment, GAC has made customer satisfaction, HSSE compliance, and business growth top priorities in serving its oil and gas customers. Fernando’s appointment further strengthens our team dedicated to this important sector, particularly in support of those involved in upstream drilling and subsea EPC operations."-TradeArabia News Service